רובאשקין זוכט צו האקען פרייזען

Empire Kosher Adds KAJ Hechsher


OU Certification Continues with Appointment of New Rav Hamachshir

Empire Kosher Poultry, Inc. ("Empire"), the nation's largest kosher poultry company, today announced that all Empire products will henceforth carry the hechsher of K'hal Adath Jeshurun ("KAJ"), in addition to that of the Orthodox Union ("OU"). Rabbi Moshe Zvi Edelstein, KAJ's Kashrus Administrator since 1988 and its senior Shochet for many years before that, will personally assume supervision of Empire on behalf of KAJ and under the overall supervision of Rabbi Zachariah Gelley, Rav of K'hal Adath Jeshurun.

In a related move, Rabbi Menachem Genack, Rabbinic Administrator of Kashrus for the OU is pleased to announce the interim appointment of Rabbi Yisroel Belsky, senior Halachic consultant to the OU, as Rav Hamachshir at Empire.

Robert Van Naarden, CEO of Empire, stated, "We're obviously delighted to add the KAJ hechsher to OU's strong existing certification, and to have the most venerable Rabbis of both organizations personally involved with Empire. The addition of new hechshers is part of a process that began with the acquisition of Empire by a new group of owners late last year." Van Naarden continued, "Both ownership and top management are now represented by individuals from kosher-keeping households. As customers ourselves, we understand that in order to appeal to the broadest possible kosher clientele, Empire must demonstrate compliance with the standards of a number of organizations. The good news is that Empire's attention to kashrus is already so strict that this is not a difficult task." Van Naarden noted that KAJ's recent, thorough review had disclosed no issues with practice or procedure anywhere in the plant.

Rabbi Yisroel Belsky is among the nation's most eminent Rabbinical Authorities, having received Semicha from Rav Moshe Feinstein in 1965 and from Yeshiva Torah Vodaath in 1962, where he currently serves as Rabbinical Lecturer (Rosh Yeshiva). Rabbi Belsky has served as senior consultant for the Orthodox Union since 1987. Rabbi Belsky stated, "I am very pleased to accept this important responsibility for the preeminent firm in our industry. Empire has a unique place in the American Jewish household, and I expect that we will maintain and further strengthen its adherence to kashrus precepts in the years to come."

Rabbi Menachem Genack stated, "Empire's pioneering work in making kosher poultry available to the broad American Jewish community is legend. Empire has always represented the highest standards in Kosher. With Rabbi Yisroel Belsky at the helm that tradition continues." Rabbi Genack further pointed out that the OU has had an ongoing relationship with KAJ in many facilities around the country and looks forward to continuing that cooperative relationship.

As part of the transition, Rabbi Nussen Spiegel announced his departure as Rav Hamachshir. Rabbi Spiegel was assigned by the OU to supervise Empire three years ago, following a period of management turmoil and the departure of several key schochtim. Rabbi Spiegel stated, "Empire's kashrus has now been refined to a level that I believe is unsurpassed by any other poultry facility in the world. I am very comfortable that it is being left in the best possible hands - those of Rabbi Belsky, with whom I have studied and collaborated for years."

Rabbi Spiegel said that he intends to return to full-time service at the Congregation Tefillah Moshe of Monsey, New York, which he has continued to lead during his term at Empire, and from which he has been commuting every week for 3 years.

Empire CEO Van Naarden stated, "Empire owes Rabbi Spiegel an inestimable debt of gratitude for the key role he played in securing the company's industry-leading kashrus. We're certain that he will move from strength to strength as he now returns to build his own congregation, and we expect close continuing relationships with him and with Congregation Tefillah Moshe."